Overview & Reviews

Lincoln is an automaker with a long history of building upscale vehicles for the American market. A division of Ford, Lincoln differentiates its vehicles through additional luxury features, more powerful engines and unique styling. The automaker's lineup includes cars, pickups and SUVs.

The company was established in 1917 by Henry Leland, an automotive parts manufacturer who had previously founded the Cadillac brand. He named the company after his boyhood hero: the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Early Lincoln models include the L Series and the K Series. The company quickly hit dire straits, however, and was bought by Ford Motor Company in 1922.

Lincoln had found its niche in the luxury-car segment by the 1930s, riding high with the likes of Cadillac as a purveyor of premium status-mobiles. The 1936 model year saw Lincoln's launch of the popular Zephyr. The car's name and styling were inspired by the sleek lines of the Burlington Zephyr, a diesel-powered express train that boasted record-setting speed. The car was a big hit for Lincoln; at one point, nearly 80 percent of all Lincolns sold were Zephyrs.

The '40s also saw the rise of the glamorous Continental. The vehicle's development was shepherded by Edsel Ford, son of Ford's founder Henry Ford. After World War II, Lincoln maintained its premium status with vehicles like the Mark II and the '60s-era Continentals, which gained fame through their "suicide-style" rear doors and use as U.S. presidential limousines. The Continental Mark III luxury coupe rolled out in 1968 and by the late '60s, more than 1 million Continentals had been built.

The 1970s saw the launch of the Mark IV as well as a new Lincoln, the Versailles. The Versailles was the first midsize sedan from the marque, and right from the start, it missed the mark with the public. The Versailles was based on the Ford Granada platform, and many blamed its failure on its obvious similarity to its less exclusive -- and less expensive -- twin.

In 1981, Lincoln released its now iconic Town Car, the full-size luxury sedan that has since served as the marque's flagship. Though its moniker had been used to designate trim levels in previous years, 1981 was the year in which the Town Car came into existence as an individual model. Lincoln also distinguished itself during these years as the first American car line to offer antilock braking. The Mark series continued to evolve, and shrunk down considerably with the debut of the Mark VI. That velvet-lined cruiser was followed mid-decade by the Mark VII, which was more European in nature and could even be powered by a BMW turbodiesel engine.

The '90s saw the debut of the Mark VIII, which featured a four-cam V8 and air suspension. By this time, sport-utility vehicles had emerged as a segment to be reckoned with, and Lincoln made the most of this trend by launching its very first SUV, the Ford Expedition-based Navigator, for 1998. Bedecked in chrome and fitted with plush leather and luxury features galore, the massive truck was a breakout hit.

The new millennium marked the debut of the Euro-flavored, midsize LS sedan that shared much of its platform with Jaguar's S-Type sedan. More recently, Lincoln has dropped the long-lived Town Car and updated its lineup with the MKS and MKZ sedans as well as the MKX crossover SUV in hopes of attracting a new generation of consumers. Some of its offerings fall short of the competition in areas such as performance and refinement. Still, the marque is a favorite of car buyers seeking a generous dose of all-American luxury.

User Reviews:

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  My first Town Car - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By jerry711 - September 6 - 10:30 am

  I just purchased my first Town Car used and I love it. More than enough trunk space, gas mileage is OK for a V8, and I must admit that its the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Its like driving a Lazy Boy recliner. The town car is surprisingly easy to drive for a big body car. When Im ready to trade this one in Ill definitely buy another!

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  Awesome Luxury Truck - 2007 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Jeffrey Berezo - September 5 - 1:20 am

  I love my Mark LT, it is white chocolate with all options. It is luxurious, comfortable, the black leather seats are like sitting in your family room. I bought the are tonneau and had it painted to match. We drove it on a long trip over the weekend, it was incredible. The nay sayers must be GM people since there are no other luxury trucks on the market. I do not like the Cadillac it is not a truck.

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  LS review - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By cactus - August 30 - 8:56 pm

  great look, great features, great comfort. sound system is magnificent, promoted as very quiet - and it really is- road noise is not an issue.

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  its a good vehicle - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By c tucker - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Lincolns for 34 years and this is the best one Ive had. Except for a sensor that failed in the first 200 miles, it has been troublefree. It handles well, has superior performance and I exceeded the EPA ratings getting 20 mpg at 70 mph on a trip to Oregon.

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  Great but not Terrific - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Freddy H - August 29 - 12:03 am

  Although a great driving experience with head turning good looks it is not perfect. Rear vision is a problem and the center arm rest is out of position. It would also be nice to have the steering wheel mounted controls more readable but overall an excellent choice of vehicles. It is my wifes car but I drive it as often as possible.

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  Great Lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Barry - August 20 - 11:26 am

  Our first Lincoln was an LS, good car except rear wheel not good in the north county in winter and seats were not comfortable, the Zephyr seats or great with front wheel drive..This is Lincolns best.........

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  lincoln carter excellent - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By lincoln - August 20 - 4:23 am

  bought 1999 lincoln carter towncar used from friend whose wife died. 12,000 miles. better to drive than i thought, good mileage, surprising small turn radius. easy to maintain

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  Room to Roam - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By 2X4 off road - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The comfort can only be beat by bigger luxery cars.The worst milage is 11.5 mpg uphill in town at low speed and the best on the hwy is 23 mpg with it getting 20.5 easily on the hwy at 70 mph. I just did a long trip and got 19 mpg at 90 mile per hour most of the way.

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  Lindsey Family Review - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By John C Lindsey - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome vehicle- we looked at Escallade and the Navigator puts it to shame on interior comfort. Exterior appeal is about equal on both, but there is no comparison on the interior superiority of the Navigator. Performance of the Lincoln is just a tiny bit less, but is so much more than you need, the difference is not important. Very nice engine performance.

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  Luxury at its finest - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By jdw - August 12 - 2:00 am

  A perfect Luxury car. This car is very comfotable and performs well with the V8.